Atlantic City to expand gambling, drinking options in casinos

AP Photo/Mel EvansTropicana Casino in Atlantic City is among those taking part in a gambling extension.

ATLANTIC CITY — There's more gambling and drinking on tap for Atlantic City in the new year.

New Jersey regulators are letting casinos put slot machines and table games into places they've never been before. They're also letting casinos sell or give away alcohol in places like a clothing store, a wireless Internet lounge, and gift shops.

The gambling extension trend started last year with the Tropicana and Harrah's. It's speeding up this year with the Golden Nugget offering bar-top video poker, as well as traditional blackjack and roulette in a new lounge.

And Harrah's is considering putting even more table games into areas near The Pool, which doubles as one of the city's hottest nightclubs — once the towels and swim caps are packed away.